Continuous feeder



Jan. 22, 1952 BREMAN 2,583,506

CONTINUOUS FEEDER Filed Jan. 25. 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet l J & INVENTOR.

fizz/7k J Berna/ W Jan. 22, 1952 F. J. BREMAN 2,583,506

CONTINUOUS FEEDER Filed Jan. 25. 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

Fan/z Jfiremarz, BY

Jan. 22, 1952 F. J. BREMAN 2,533,505

CONTINUOUS FEEDER Filed Jan. 25, 1950 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 @2 till I N V EN TOR. Wank Jfirenzczm B Y Jan. 22, 1952. F. J. BREMAN CONTINUOUS FEEDER 7 Sheeis-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 25. 1950 Jan. 22, 1952 F. J. BREMAN CONTINUOUS FEEDER 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 25, 1950 Jan. 22, 1952 F. J. BREMAN CONTINUOUS FEEDER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 25, 1950 INVENTOR.

Patented Jan. 22, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTINUOUS FEEDER Frank J. Breman, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 25, 1950, Serial No. 140,480

My invention is primarily concerned with a new and improved mechanical feeding mechanism for continuously supplying the printing cylinders or printin couple of a printing press, or the like, with sheets of paper.

' More precisely, my invention is directed to a simple mechanical feeder adapted to supply paper sheets to the main feeder rolls for example, of an offset printing press, to eliminate the hand feeding of individual sheets.

In printing newspapers, forms or the like with an offset printing press, it is essential for a smooth and efiicient printing cycle, that the sheets to be imprinted be constantly supplied to the feeding rolls of the press. The time interval available for this supply operation may be measured by the time consumed for the printing plate to'transfer its image to the blanket cylinder. As the platen cylinder approaches the blanket cylinder, the sheet of paper must then be fed onto the platen to be gripped by suitable fingers mounted thereon 'so that as the platen cylinder rotates with the blanket cylinder, the image impressed thereon may be properly transferred to the paper. Several problems present themselves in attempting to supply mechanically the feeding rolls with paper sheets, chief of which are the following:

(1) The assurance that a single sheet of paper will be supplied to the feed rollers of the press at one time;

(2) The proper alignment of the paper as it is introduced to the feed rollers, to ensure accurate alignment and registry of the image during transfer thereof from'the blanket'cylinder to the paper sheet; this is especially important when more than one color of printing medium is involved; and

(3) The proper synchronization of the supply feeding operation with the feed rollers, plate, platen and blanket cylinders of the press to ensure a steady uninterrupted printing operation.

I have solved the operational problems of such a mechanical continuous supply feeding system and in certain preferred embodiments of my invention herein disclosed have applied my invention to a simple compact feeding mechanism adapted to be adjoined to offset printing presses presently available on the market. Briefly, my feeding device constitutes a roller synchronously driven with the rotative plate and platen cylinders and adapted to feed a single sheet of paper to the feed rollers of the press at one time, simultaneously ensuring-a positive alignmentof the 24 Claims. (01. 271-47) paper before introduction thereof to the feed rollers.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a new and useful simple mechanical con,

tinuous feeder for supplying sheets to the printing cylinders or printing couples of printing presses or the like.

It is an important object of my invention to disclose a new gravity and mechanical typefeeding device adapted to feed positively a single sheet of paper to printing presses or other devicesto which it is desired to feed sheets.

It is another object of my invention to disclose a new and useful continuous feeder for use with printing presses which will guarantee proper alignment of the sheets in the feeding rollers of the press. 1

It is a further object of my invention to pro-' printing cycle of the press to thereby ensure a smooth and continuous automatic printing and feeding operation.

These and other objects will appear from time to time as the following specification and description proceeds.

For the purpose of illustrating to those familiar with the printing and sheet feeding art, the mode of utilizing and constructing my invention, reference is herein made to a typical type of printing press to which my device is readily adaptable, as illustrated in the pendin application of William Ward Davidson, entitled Printing Press, Serial No. 68,458, filed December 31, 1948, now Patent No. 2,561,015, dated July 17, 1951, which in conjunction with the following descriptive matter will make my invention readily more understandable, reference being made as well to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figurel is a partial side elevational view of my feeder made in accordance with the principles of my invention, shown in its mounted position on an offset type of printing press as illusscale thereover;

1 3 Figure 3 is a detailed partial side elevational view showing the particulars of the several linkage arrangements used in my continuous feeder;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed side elevational view with parts broken away in section, taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an enlarged partial detailed side elevational view of the jogger mechanism of my feeder, taken substantially along line 55 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the jogger mechanism, taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detailed left side elevationalview of an alternate feeder linkage shown with the left end cover plate removed, displaying the linkage positions when the feed r011 is in position to feed paper to the press:

Figure 8 is a partial side elevation showing the position of the stop fingers when the feed roll is downv as -shown:=irr;Figure.:7.;.

Figure 9 is another side elevational view of'the.

alternate. feeder. linkage-1 shown; in, Figure: 7, showingxthe: linkage: positions: when the, feeder isr'not' feeding :paper sheets. to; the press;

Figure 10; is aview similarto Figure. 8; showing the stop fingers in an up position when the feed rollais' in..its;non-feeding1 position shown in Figure=19;.

Figure 11;; is. a plan:.view showing the clutch arrangement used in the alternate feeder shownin Figure 7; andv Figure 12;. is; an enlarged detailed side: elevational view. showing theretard roll adjustment control positioned at'the; right hand; side of: the

alternateafeederzi Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the1drawings; ans. offsetv press; indicated enerally at 20, being, thetype described. in? the referred to Davidson. application, Seriali No. 68,458, as. an

illustrative? example: of; a typical. style; of press with which my invention may be'utilized, comprises ani exterior shell.2l' in which is housed a large centrally: disposedpylinderfizz, the cylindrical surface of:which'is..provid'ed .with aplate segment 23iand: aplaten: segment 24-. The cylinden 22: is driven by. suitable..-gearing 25. and 10-. catediabovethe. :cylinder; 22; is; a smaller blanket cylinders. havingra: diameter equal to. the radius of the cylinder 22. A set of feedrrollers. andaceompanyi'ng meohanismtindicated at 21 isadapteditosfeed. sheets; of, paper between the rotating central and blanket cylinders. Wetting rolls 2% and; inking-rolls 29: are located: for intermittent tangential contactwiththe plate 12,3;mounted on theicylinder 22. to; thereby coatit with the proper registering: medium, all of which is described more fully-in-the Davidson application of reference;.Seria-l No. 68,458, and will not be set forth in further detail. herein.

Coming now totheaprimaryifeatures of my in-- vent-ion, comprising an automatic: continuous feeder; indicated; generally at 3!, and includinga V feedingtray 32"; arotatable-feed'roll 33-; astationary retard; roll; 34, a set of stop; fingers 35 and a jogger mechanismtfi; For clarity ofdescription, each of'the-aabove elements will :be described-? in conjunction: with its associated functioning apparatus as follows:

' The tray'32 is comprised substantially of an inclined bottom plate. 40 on which are mounted a of sheet metal having a rectangularly formed bend running along the length thereof to form vertically extending sides for guiding paper or the like during gravitationally imposed downward sliding movement across the tray bottom, as will appear more clearly hereinafter. Supporting ribs 42 are disposed beneath the tray bottom 40 to add rigidity to the tray member 32. A finger opening 43 may be disposed centrally of the tray bottom to provide accessible-means for grasping the stack of paper onthe tray for removal or loading thereof. End plates 44 and 45 are connected at the inner end of the tray 32 to the supporting ribs 42 and may be cross-connected by a rigid angle iron threshold bar 46 disposed inwardly-of the lower end of the tray 32 toward thepress-for, providing rigidity to the tray construction. The end plate 44 disposed at the lefthand side 0f the machine, looking from the tray towards the blanket cylinder 26, is comiected to an.angular;frame member 41 secured to aver- 7 ticallyvdisposedhinge: block. by meansof cap screws; 49 inserted through. an. elbow plate; 50. The,:hinge.b1ock:is suitably pinnedfor swinging pivotal movement between a-pair of'pivot blocks.

51 secured to the left-hand. sidewall. 52 of. the press-shell 2|, as willbeclearly seeninFigures Z-and 3;

Looking; at the upper portion of Figure 2, the right-hand end plate 45 of..the.feeder.-is secured toi'thewright-hand side of the pressshell 2|.- by means of a'latch bar 53-.adapted.to slide over av latch pin 54 mounted intheright-hand side wall 55 of the press shell 2I= By. the meansof such alatchingand. hin ing' arrangement, the. trayis adapted .toswing laterallyabout thehinge 4B.providing ready, inspection accessibility tov the feed rollers-210i. the printing press.20, and. also per:- mitting ready accessibilityyto.thevarious linkage mechanisms associated with the feedroll 33 of they feederv 3 l.

The feedroll 33'comprises ashort metal.cyl, inder havingra rubber facing, and mounted onv a; shaft 58: extending laterally between a pair of bell cranks 57 and 58,.the' shaft 55 being mounted. thereon for; rotational movement in suitable bearings 59; The bell: cranks 57 and 53 are suitably pivoted to the end plates 44:and:45 for making. movement onpivot pins- 61 A cylmdric-alftie-rodza'l is. also connectedbetween the two bell cranks 51 and 58 to provide rigidit to theconstruction and connective means for simultaneously actuatingthe two bell cranks, as will. appear presently herein. 7

The shaft 55. exten'cls through the bell crank 5'! at the left-hand side of the machine, that isthe side shown near. the lower edge of Figure 2, to be received by a cam opening 64 formed ina sliding cam plate. 65; slida-bly connectedtoxthe left-handend plate 44 by means: of a projecting, pin-E6 mounted on' the end plate 44 and in sertable in suitable longitudinal slotted apertures o f-formed in the cam plate 6.5-. The cam plate is adapted to raiseandlower thefeed roll 33 and shaft fiesthrough means. of the .cam opening 64 formed at its. inner end during lateral reciprocating motion, as will appear more clearly in the use and operational description hereinafter. I

A pinion gear 68 is mounted at the left-hand end. of" shaft 56 and is interconnected with a suitable ratchet type override clutch 69" for allowing positive movement of the shaft and pinion in one direction only. A rack member Ill isdisposed in vertical" tooth contactin relation with the pinion for rotatably actuating the shaft and feed roll during the feeding operation of the feeder mechanism. A suitable guide sleeve II may be provided in surrounding relation with the rack for providing guiding means for the rack during its vertical racking move ment, the guide being mountable around the feed roll shaft 56 at the left-hand end thereof adjacent the pinion 68.

A crank arm 14 formed in the shape of a let-- ter J is connected to the lower end of the rack for vertical actuation thereof, driving connection being had with a stem portion 15 of a T-shaped double bell crank member I6 pivotally mounted by a centrally disposed pin 11 to a pro- J'ecting lug portion '18 integrally associated with the left-hand end plate 44. The double bell crank 16 is actuated with intermittent rocking motion about the pin member TI by means of a connectin rod I9 havin adjustable turn buckle end connectors 88 disposed between the lower arm of the double bell crank I6 and a crank plate 8| connected to a central shaft 82 supporting the cylinder 22 ofthe press, as is clearly seen in Figure 1 of the drawings. The connecting rod is detachably connected to the bell crank I6 to allow the feeder to be swung laterally about the hinge 48. A spring 83 is disposed about the pivot pin 'I'I between the double bell crank and the lug I8 connected to the end plate, which spring is adapted to be biased by the rocking motion set up by the connecting rod and rotating crank plate associated with the shaft 32 of the central cylinder 22 to provide returning pressure on the double bell crank I6 during operation of the mechanism. A suitable connect ing pin 85 mayconnect the J lever link with the stem of the T-shaped double bell crank as is seen in Figure 3; being connected therewith through an adjusting slot 86 for regulating the throw of the J lever and rack.

An upper arm 8'! of the T-shaped bell crank member 16 is provided with a protruding lug 88 connected rigidly to a rod 88 having adjusting nuts 98 on its opposite end for varying its length. The rod 89 is slidably inserted through a block member 8| rigidly fastened to the sliding cam plate 65. During counterclockwise rotation of the double bell crank, as viewed in Figure 3, the rod 89 slides through the block to provide a lost motion connection, the block 9!,

being eventually engaged by the nut 98 on rod 89 adjacent the lug 88 to cause positive sliding movement of the cam plate 65 to the left which results in the feed roll 33 being lowered by the cam opening 64 for proximate contact with the retard roll 34. Conversely, clockwise movement of the double bell crank allows the adjusting nuts 98 on rods 89 to engage the block SI associated with cam plate 65 resulting in reciprocal returning motion of the cam plate to the right culminating in raising the feed roll 33 away from the retard roll 34.

The retard r011 34 is mounted centrally below the feed roll 33 and is rigidly held in a holding bracket 94 by means of a shaft bolt 95; the holding bracket being rigidly secured to a rectangular cross bar 96 pivotally mounted at its ends between the end plates 44 and 45. The retard roll does not rotate about the shaft bolt but is rigidly held therewith by the bracket 94 to provide a wiping action to the underside of a sheet of paper being fed thereacross. Adjustable movement of the retard roll 34 is accompli'shed by means of an adjusting elevating screw 91, mounted to the right-hand end plate 45 by means of a depending ear member 88 Projecting therefrom near the upper edge of the end plate 45. Looking at Figure 4, it will be seen that the elevating screw 91 is provided with a knurled knob 98 at its upper end and is connected to a crank I00 at its lower end. The crank is pivotally connected between the lower end of the elevating screw and the rectangular cross bar 96 so that upon turning the knob 89 1 tical adjusting movement of the retard roll acts to adjust the contact pressure between the retard and feed rolls during the feeding operation of a sheet of paper; the adjusted contact pressure serving to ensure the feeding of a single sheet of paper between the rotatable feed roll and the stationary retard roll.

The stop fingers 35, as seen in Figures 2 and 3, are provided for holding the pile of paper on the tray 32 during periods when the feed roll is out of contact with the retard roll and no paper is being fed between the two rolls. The two stop fingers 35 are mounted on a cylindrical shaft I02 provided with a central U-shaped bend I03 adapted to clear the retard roll mounting. The ends of the shaft I82 are rotatably mounted in the end plates 44 and 45 the right-hand end being provided with a coil spring I04 connected to the shaft I82 and the end plate 45, and adapted to be biased with torsional load during the clock wise rotation of the shaft when the fingers are raised to their stopping position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Means for actuating the stop finr gers in their raised and lowered position is provided at the left-hand side of the machine comprising a latch bar I05 mounted at the outer left-hand end of shaft I 82 adapted to be held in the position shown in Figure 3 in which spring I84 on the right-hand end of the shaft I02 is in biased torsional loaded position, by means of a bell crank I06 having a detent I87 on its lower arm I08 and a retrieving spring I88 at its upper arm H0. The bell crank is pivotally interconnected with the end plate 44 by means of pivot pin III. Counterclockwise movement of the bell crank I86 causes tensional loading of retrieving spring I09 which is positioned in such a manner as to constantly urge the bell crank I86 to the right in a clockwise movement as seen in Figure 3. counterclockwise movement of the bell crank I06 is caused by means of a depending rod II2 projecting downwardly from a cooking bar II3 pivotally connected at its outer end to the upper arm of the double bell crank I6 and having a cooking detent H4 at its inner end adapted to engage a male lug H5 at the upper end of the latch bar I85. r

The cooking bar H3 is urged in a downwardly counterclockwise direction by means of a coil spring I 66 interconnected with the cocking bar and the double bell crank 16, clockwise movement of the double bell crank causes the cocking bar II3 to move to the right as seen in Figure 3, causing its cockingdetent H4 to engage the,

projecting lug; I15: of the latch bar to force it in a clockwisedirection until it reaches theposition showninzEigure 3.-where.the detent I'I onthe bell crank I00'under urging pressure of the retrievingspring I09 engages thelower end of the latch bar to hold itin'that position. Such a clockwise'movementof thelatch bar causes the attachedshaft I02 to move :in a clockwise direction thereby raisingthe fingers to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. Conversely, counterclockwisemovement of the double bell-crank I6 causes the cockingbar tomove to the left bringingatherod I I2 into contact with'the upper arm I'I0 of the bell crank I06 thereby causing counterclockwise movement ofthat bell crank to release'thelatchbar: I'from detent I01 allowing the spring I04 at theright-hand end of shaft I02; to move the shaft in a counterclockwise direction to. lower the stopfingers'35 to a non-interfering positionrwith the paper. being fed.be--

condition wherein. the sheet ends are fanned or cascaded at a forward upper slope adjacent the retard roll so that thereisproper alignment and registration of thesheets of paper as they are fed between the feed and retard rolls. Actuation of thejogger is accomplished .by 'means of.

a crank bar I I9 connected to the shaft I02 carryingthefingers 35with a cam link I having an offset bend therein pinned thereto for pivotal movement by means of a pin I2 I. I2Iiis provided'with' a slotted aperture I22 at. one end for providing lost motion to thejogger linkage; thelength of the aperture I22 being designed to properly time the actuation of the jogger in relation to the feed roll and the holding fingers. A rod- I23 is journalled in the slotted aperture I22- and is provided with a coil spring I24, as :seen in Figure 6, having-abutting engagement with a pin I25 and a back plate" I23 of the jogger. A face plate I2! is providedwith a felt or spongerubber covering adapted to frictionally'engage the edges of the sheet of paper orthe liketo complete-themechanical make-up of the jogger mechanism. In operation, the cam link I20, having a bent profile section therein,

is pushed along the-pin I23 to engage the face plate of the jogger upon rotation. of shaft I02v through the crank bar II9 thrusting the faceplate away from the back plate I26 thereby pulling rod I23 therewith which compresses spring I20. On further rotation of the shaft I02 the link I20 of the jogger is pulled backwardly to release the compressive force on thespring I24 whereby. the jogger'plate' will return to its initial position.

The operation'of the above describedmachine is probably apparentfrom the foregoing description, butfor the sake of clarity, I'shall briefly describe the operational cycle of the feeder'to show thesequentialrelation of'the severallinkages involved.

, The'feeder is shown in Fig-uresland 3 at the.

completion of a feedingstroke" with the feed roll The cam link s inits upper position away fromthe. retard roll 34, and therack 10 near its upper limit'of travel with the stop fingers positioned vertically to hold the stack of paper on tray 32 during the printing cycle, when the platen cylinder contacts the blanket and a paper sheet is being; fed to the platen by the feed rollers 21 of the press.

It will be seen that the shaft 82 and attachedcrank plate BI rotate counterclockwise causing the double bell crank 16 to rotate in thesame sense for the next or so of the crankplates; rotation. Rocking of the double bell crank from its position shown in Figure 1, in a counterclockwise direction, creates the following sequence of movements: The stem I5 of the bell crank'IIi moves downwardly, causing the J link 14 topull the rack I0 in a downward direction. The feed roll does not rotate during the downward travel of the rack, due to the override clutch 69 which permits positive rotation of the shaft 56 in a clockwise direction only, as viewed in Figure 1. As the rack 10 nears its downward limit of travel, the rodI I2 attached to the cocking bar 3 contacts the upper arm IIO of the bell crank, I06,

pulling therewith its detent I01 out ofengagement with the lower end of the latch bar I05, allowing the torsionally loaded spring I04 located at the opposite end of shaft I02 and associated with the stop fingers 35 to urge the stopfingers downwardly in a counterclockwisesense to a noninterfering position. Concurrently, with the fingers actuation, the crank II9 associated with the jogger 36 is moved with shaft I02 to pull the cam linkage I20 downwardly to disengagethe jogger from the stack of paper on tray 32. It should be noted in this connection, that the jogger linkage has enough lost motion to allow its disengagement from the paper stack only after the fingers are completely down, and the feed roll has been lowered in feeding proximity with the retard roll so that at all times the stack of paper is held by, some means from freely slipping into the feed roll members 21 of the press.

Meanwhile, the rod 89 connected to the protruding lug B8 on the upper arm 81 of the double bell crank 56 has been sliding through the block member 9i connected to the camplate 65. Further movement of the double bell crank to the left as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, causes the lug 88 to contact block 9| to urge the cam plate 05 to the left, causing the cam opening 64 to be moved to the left resulting in the feed roll 33 and shaft 56 being lowered to a feeding position with the feed roll in proximate contact with the surface of the retard roll 34. The above operations consume approximately the time required for the crank plate to turn 90, or to the point where the connecting rod is at its limit of travel to the right, as viewed in Figure 1.

Conversely, movement of the double bell crank in the opposite direction, or to the right, as viewed in Figures 1 and 3, causes the rack which is nowin its downward position, as described above, to move upwardly to rotate the feed roll bymeans of the uni-directional clutch and pinion, to feed a sheet of paper to the feed rollers 21 of the press,

which will be in non-feeding position. during the feeding operation by my feeder attachment. In this connection, it may be appropriate to observe that the feed roll 33 remains in. feeding contact with the sheet of paper for about.50% of the: sheets length, driving: the sheet against stops associated with thefeed rollers..2I. of thepress, and is then raisediby virtue of" the:rod"89. engagingtheblock 9|. on the; cam'platetopull that plate back to the right again to its Figure 3 position. Simultaneously, with the raising of the feed roll the stop fingers are raised and the jogger thrown in, thereby allowing the single sheet of paper, now against the stops of the press feeding couples, to lie freely over the top of the raised stop fingers except for aligning engagement by the side jogger. The sheet is then fed to the printing couple of the press by feed rollers 21; the jogger simultaneously aligning the single sheet of paper and holding the stack on tray 32.

As the double bell crank moves back pushing the rack upwardly, the cocking detent I I4 of the cooking bar II3 engages the male lug II5 on the upper end of the latch bar I05, thus raising the stop fingers 35. Simultaneously, with this actuation of the stop fingers, the depending rod II2 on the cocking bar, tending to press the bell crank I [I6 downwardly and load the retrieving spring I09 associated therewith, is moved with the cocking bar to the right, allowing the bell crank I06 to rotate clockwise to engage the lower end of the latch bar, so that its detent I!" may hold the latch bar and connected stop fingers in an upright position as seen in Figure 3.

Thus, it is seen that a perfect operating cycle stage when the feed roll is up, the fingers are up i to hold the stack of paper from sliding into the press, and the jogger is in, engaging the stack along one edge to hold the sheets in their desired cascaded or fanned end relation with one another which might otherwise be disturbed by the vibrations of the press. The jogger additionally contacts one edge of the single paper sheet previously fed to the stops of the press feeding couple 21 for proper registering alignment thereof prior to its being fed to the printing couple of the press.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8, 9 and in which my alternate feeding mechanism I 3I is displayed as a type adapted for mounting on an offset printingpress in a manner similar to the previously described feeder 3I In functional result the two feeders are equivalent, but I have found my alternate mechanism to be more successful in practical operation and use. The actuating linkage arrangement, it will be readily perceived, differs somewhat from the linkage of feeder 3I described heretofore, but the alternate feeder I3I includes essentially equivalent elements comprising a feeding tray I32, a rotatable feed roll I33, a stationary retard roll I34, a set of stop fingers I35, and a jogger mechanism I36; the main differences between the two feeders being in the actuating linkage which is associated with each of these various elements.

The feeding tray I32 comprises a bottom plate I40, side members I, and supporting ribs I42, all made of sheet metal and associated in substantially identical relation as previously described in connection with tray 32 associated with my first mentioned feeder 3 I. An additional feature is introduced in the tray I32 comprising a tilting adjustment composed of a pair of slotted arcuate openings I43 in supporting ribs I42registering with similar openings I43 in a left-hand" end plate I44, and a similar right-hand end plate 10 I45. The openings in the two plates and ribs are adapted to receive suitable bolts I46 capable of holding the tray in various selected tilting positions, 2. bolt adjustable connecting each of the two ribs I42 to the right-hand end plate I and the left-hand end plate I44, respectively. Pivotal connection between the inner end of the tray and the feeder framing is made by a pair of tap screws I41, the inner ends ofwhich are journalled in projecting bars I48 extending outwardly from the inner end of the tray supporting ribs and positioned adjacent the two end plates. Lateral positioning adjustment of the tray side walls I4: is accomplished by means of set screws I49 adapted to engage the underside of the tray bottom I43 and positioned at the upper end of each side wall in a non-interfering position with the paper normally stacked on the tray.

Theleft-hand end plate I44 is similar in most respects to the right-hand end plate I45 with the exception that whereas the right-hand end plate is a fiat plate, the left-hand end plate is fitted with an extending lip I50 projecting outwardly with the first-mentioned feeder 3|.

from its inner edge at right angles thereto. The

lip is adapted to be fastened to a pair of angularly bent ear members I5I protruding inwardly intheir mounted position from the upper and lower reaches of the lip I50. The ears are provided for mounting connection of the tray to a hinge pin I52 extending through the two cars and rigidly. positioned vertically between a pair of hinge blocks I53 securely fastened to the lefthand side wall 52 of the shell 2| of the press.

The right-hand end plate I45 is fitted with a latch bar I54 pivotally mounted thereto by a pivot pin I55 and adapted to receive a latch pin I56 mounted to andprotruding from the right-hand side wall 55 of the shell 2|, similar to the latching arrangement described heretofore in connection This combined latch and hinge arrangement allows the tray and accompanying feeder mechanism to swing laterally about the hinge pin I52 to give access to the various linkages if need be without disconnecting the driving connection leading from the press, as is necessary with my first described feeder 3I. A rectangular cross sectional bar I51 is positioned near the lower inner edge of the two end plates extending therebetween to rigidly tie the two plates together to thereby provide a sturdy feeder frame construction.

The feed roll I33 is similar in all respects to the feed roll 33 described previously in connection with my feeder 3| and is cylindrical in form with a rubber coated surface adapted to frictionally engage the upper surface of a sheet of paper for feeding thereof to the feeding rolls 21 of the press 20. Feed roll I33 is mounted intermediately of the two end plates on a cylindrical shaft I58 for rotational movement therewith.

The shaft I58 is rotatably mounted between a pair of bell cranks I59 and I60, pivotally mounted to' the left and right hand end plates I44 and 'I 45, respectively, by pivot members I6 I A cylindricalcross connecting rod I62 is also mounted between the upper arms of the two bell cranks for rigidly tying them together to ensure their simultaneous actuation, as will more clearly appear presently.

It will be noted, on inspection of Figures 7 and 9, that the bell crank I59 disposed at the left side of the feeder is provided with an extended portion having a roller type cam follower I63 attached thereto adapted to follow a curved camming surface of a cam aperture I64 formed in the seems-c :upper end of a rocker arm I65; movement ofthe oam follower along'the camming aperture causes rocking motion of the bell cranks I59 and IE8 about pins I6I to raise and lower the shaft I58 and attached feed-roll. A spring, not shown, may be connected between the bell crank I59 and the leftehand end plate to maintain the cam follower I83 in constant contact with the cam surface of the camming aperture I64.

The rocker arm IE is actuated by a to and fro movement of a kick plate I88 provided with adjustable hammer members I69 for contacting an anvil block II8 rigidly secured to, and project- "ing,from,*the back face of the rocker arm as seen in Figures '7 and '9. The rocker arm and kick plate moves relative to one another in arcuate paths about a common shaft IlI extending transversely across the feeder between the two end plates; the kick plate I68 and rocker arm I65 being separated by a spacer sleeve H2. The kick plateis actuated by an offset intermediate drive lever I'I3'in the form of abell crank; connection therewith being through an oppositely offset intermediate link I74 pivotally secured to both the kick plate and the intermediate drive lever I13 by pivot pins I15.

The intermediate'driveilever H3 is rotatably mounted behind the left-hand end plate as seen in Figures '7 and 9 on a solid shaft I'I6 adapted to be received within an internalcylindrical openingof an intermediate drive lever pivotal bearing'II'I rigidly secured to the left-hand end plate I98 'pivotally mounted to, and outside of, the lefthandside wall 52 of the press shell 2I an upper arm I99 of the bell crank I98 being fitted witha fork 288 similar to fork I95 adapted to meet with another annular-channelled groove 28E surrounding the lower end of the spool :85 to provide driving connection therebetween. A lower depending arm 282, inset from the upper arm I99, is pivotally joined at its inner end to a straight connecting rod 283 pivotally'connected to a crank plate 284 mounted on the extended end of the main central shaft 82 of the-press and extendingtherethrough to project outwardly from the outer surface thereof.

A clutchengagement lever I88 in the form of a bell crank is provided with a projecting clutch engaging block I8I located near its outer end, which block is adapted to receive a projecting external cylindrical portion of the intermediate drive lever pivot bearing III to thereby provide pivotal mounting for the clutch engagement lever on the left-hand end plate.

A pin type clutching arrangement, shown clearly in Figure 11, is provided for selective operative connection between the clutch -engagement-lever I88 and the intermediate drive lever -I'I3. This clutch arrangement'comprises chiefly, 'a cylindrical rod +82 extending laterally between and-throughthe two end plates I44 and I45. The right-hand end of the rod I82 outside ther-ighthand end plate I45 is provided with a vertical handle member I83 adapted to be engaged by in and out steps-I84 and-I85 respectively, in a block member I86 secured to the outside of the right-hand end plate. A compression spring IB'I surrounds the rod I82inside:the right-handend plate, and between the plate and a holding collar I88 surrounding the rod and rigidly secured V thereto. At the left-hand end of the clutching arrangement, the rodI82 isfitted with a bifurcated fork member I89 projecting atright angles .therefrom and adapted to receive the head of a clutch pin I98 forsliding arcuate movement therealong. The clutch pin I98 extends. through an upper arm I9I of the intermediatedrive lever,

through a suitable arcuate slotted aperture, not

to complete the driving connection to the feeder linkage. Connection of the connecting rod 284 with the crank plate is made in an off-center pivotal position to thereby provide proper cranking motion.

Rotational movement of the feed roll I33 is furnished by means of a rack 288 connected at its 'lower end in a pivot block 289 which is pivotally connected to an inwardlyextending arm N8 of the kick plate I68. A slotted opening 2H is provided in the adjacent kick plate arm for connecting the pivot block 289 and attached rack invarious adjusted positions relative thereto for regulating the vertical throw of the rack.

A one way override clutch 2I2 is mounted on the shaft I58 inside the bell crank I59 adjacent a pinion 2I3 which engages the rack in a manner similar to that described previously in connection with the firstmentioned feeder 3 I. This override clutch allows rotation of the feed roll 1'33 and the shaft I58 in a clockwise direction only to ensure feeding of the paper sheets to the press. It will be seen that vertical arcuate movement of the-kick plate arm 2 I 8 causes a responsive vertical movement'of 'the'rack 288 to rotate the shaft I58 during the downward stroke of the rack through the pinion 2 I 3, while the clutch 2 I2 allows the-rack and pinion to override during the upward stroke of the rack and'the kick plate arm.

The retard r011 134 is in all respects the same as the retard-roll 34 ofm-y'previouslydescribed feeder, being essentially a non-revolving roller rigidly mountedin a holding bracket 2 I5 fastened to a pivotalcross bar 2H3 positioned between the right hand end plate and a vertically positioned intermediate'frame member 2 I I for pivotalmovement. 7

Adjustmentof the retard roll I34 toward or away from the feedroll I33 is accomplished by an elevating. screw. 2I;8' mounted to the right-hand endplate, havinga knurled knob H9 at its upper end and connecting with the pivotal cross bar 2 I 6 by a crank 228 the same as previously described in connection with my first mentioned feeder 3t. A tensioning spring 22I. is provided below mounting, bracket 222 mounted to the'right-hand end plate I for tensioning the adjustment movement of the threaded elevating screw 12I8. Briefly, the threadingadjustment of the elevating screw up or down causes the cross bar to rotate, to raiseor lower the feed roll toward or away from the retard roll.

Thestop fingers I comprise essentially a pair of projecting rectangular metal fingers mounted on a square cross section finger bar 225 extending between the right-hand end plate I and the vertically positioned frame member 2|! which is rigidly fastened to the rectangular cross bar I55. It should be noted that the fingers may be adjustably positioned on either side of the stationary retard roll by merely sliding them along the finger bar 225; a leaf spring, not shown, positioned between each finger and the finger bar serving to exert frictional pressure on brackets 226 holding the stop fingers on bar 225 to maintain the selective positioning thereof. The finger bar 225 is cylindrical in cross section at each end and is rotatably mounted through the righthand end plate and the intermediate vertically positioned frame member 2Il. A torsional spring, not shown, but similar to spring I94 previously described in connection with feeder 3i, is employed at the end of the rod 225 adjacent the right-hand end plate I45 to exert return turning force on the rod.

Rotational movement of the finger bar is accomplished by a suitable linkage arrangement at the left-hand side of the feeder comprising a small connecting link 221 rigidly mounted on the finger bar 225, and pivotally connected at its outer end to the inner end of the curved intermediate lever 228 positioned in offset relation to a vertical bell crank 229. Operative connection between the intermediate lever 228 and the lower arm of the vertical bell crank 229 is made by means of a cylindrical offset post 239 rigidly fastened to the lower arm of the bell crank I 229 and about which the outer end of the intermediate lever is free to pivot. The vertical bell crank 229 is pivotally mounted on a pivot post 23I projecting from the inner face of the left-hand end plate, shown cut away at this connection in Figures 7 and 9. The upper arm of the vertical bell crank 229 is provided with a rotatably mounted roller 232 projecting outwardly therefrom to contact and roll along an upper camming edge 233 of the rocker arm; this camming edge causing the vertical bell crank 229 to rock about the pivot post 232 to give up and down actuation to the stop fingers through the intervening linkage just described. A spring 234 is connected between the vertical bell crank, below its pivot point, and a post 235 projecting from the inner surface of the left-hand end plate to maintain the roller 232'in contact with the camming edge 233 of the rocker arm.

The jogger mechanism I39 may best be understood by reference to Figures 11 and 12 wherein it will be seen that an end frame member 236 extends vertically from the tray bottom I48 and is adjacent to, and extending from, a back wall frame member 23'! projecting vertically from the tray bottom I49. The back wall 231 and end frame 236 are rigidly bolted to the side plate I4I of the tray I32 by bolt 238. A vertically positioned jogger plate 239 faced with sponge rubber or other suitable material extends vertically, substantially in line with the vertical side plate I4I of the tray at the lower end thereof, and communicates with a cylindrical boss member 249 by means of a jogger plunger 24I adapted to be received by the hollowed interior of the boss member 249 which is rigidly secured to the vertical jogger back wall 237. A cam block 242 is positioned on the back face of the jogger plate 239 and is adapted to be contacted by areciprocating cam bar 243 having an offset camming portion 244 formed therein. The inner end of the 1 14 camming bar 243 is connected to the cross ccnnecting rod I62 extending between the rockable bell cranks I59 and I69, although connection might as conveniently be made with the stop finger bar 225 like in my first described jogger. It will be seen from this arrangement that to and fro movement of the camming bar, by movement of the cross connecting rod I62, causes an in and out movement of the jogger plate as the cam block is intermittently contacted by the camming bar. It might further be noted that a return impulsion of the jogger plate is provided for by means of a compressive spring 245 journalled in the boss member 249 surrounding the jogger plunger 24I movement of the jogger plate toward the stack of paper on tray I32 causing compression of the spring 245 which then exerts resilient returning pressure on the jogger plate through the intervening jogger plunger.

Use and operation In use and operation my alternate feeder I3I is substantially identical to my previously described feeder 3 I; the sequence of operation and timing of the feed roll, stop fingers and jogger being generally the same as previously outlined in the operational description for feeder 3|.

Figure 7 shows the feeder I3I at the start of the feeding cycle with the feed roll I33 down, in proximate contact with the retard roll I34, the stop fingers in a non-interfering position as shown in detail in Figure 8 and the jogger out.

Further counterclockwise rotation of the crank plate 294 and shaft 82 from their Figure 7 position, causes the straight connecting rod 293 to move to the right of its Figure '7 position pivoting the feeder bell crank I98 about its pivot point to raise the spool I on the hinge pin I52. The vertical movement of the spool upward on the hinge pin causes responsive rocking actuation of the clutch engagement lever I89 and with the clutch pin in, the intermediate drive lever I13 will be rigidly tied to lever I99 to rock about shaft I19 in a clockwise direction causing counterclockwise actuation of the associated kick plate I58, connection therebetween being by the intermediate link I14.

As the kick plate moves counterclockwise the rack is pulled downwardly to rotate the feed roll I33 to feed a single sheet of paper to the feed rollers 21 of the press. It should be noted that during this feeding period the rocker arm I95 has remained in its Figure '7 position holding the feed roll in proximity with the retard roll by means of the cam roller I63 associated with the bell crank I59 which is held in engagement with the camming aperture I64 disposed near the upper end of the rocker arm. Similarly the stop fingers I35 are held in the down position shown in Figure 8 through the intervening linkages actuating the finger bar 225, comprising the connecting link 221, the curved intermediate lever 228, the vertical bell crank 229 and the roller 232, held in contact with the camming edge 233 of the rocker arm by spring 234.

As the kick plate continues to move counterclockwise, it eventually brings the right-hand hammer I69 into contact with the anvil block I19 on the rocker arm I65 to thereby force the rocker arm counterclockwise as well. Such movement of the rocker arm causes the cam follower I93 to assume its Figure 9 position at the opposite end of the camming aperture to raise the feed roll to its Figure 10 position away from the retard roll by clockwise rotational movement of the bell cranks I59 and I69. Likewise, the cam d5 roller -2 32 associated -withthe verticali bell prank 229 controlling themovement of the ifin'ger -bar 225 and stop fingers- I3 5, is-moved upwardialong the upperramming edge 233- of the rocker iarm 165 390 raise the 'stop' fingers to their Figure 10.. position-where they interfere-with and prevent the movementof as'heetof paper from thestack into the feed rollers 0f thepress; the single sheet previously ied tothe steps of thepress" feeding couple, however, lies over the top of the raised 1 fingers. With the rocking :motion of the l'eft-and right hand bell cranks H I 59 "and l 65, respectively, by the -controlling movement of the camm-ing aperture 464' along the cam follower i 63, to"-'ra'ise the feed'io1l,--the--cross ccnnecting'rod l 62 rigidly secured between the bell cranks activates the jogger linkage -to "put the'jogger I36 -in,'- which causes the stack of paper in tray- I-32 to be pushed againstthe 'left h'a'ndside plate [4! fol-proper alignment thereof, holdingthe' sheets in their fanned or cascaded end relation in the stack, and at'the' same timealigns'thefed *sheefiforproper gripping alignment in 'thefeedrollersfl'l *of the press. The jogger remains in aligning contact with the single"fed sheet during the feeding'operation by the feed rollers'21 as well.

Naturally, with further counterclockwise rotation of 'the "shaft SZIand'attache'd crank plate "2074, the connecting rod 2li3wi1l'b'epulled'back from its Figure 9position toward 'th'e'start of the feeding stroke position shown in'Figure I. 'During thi'sportion of the operating cycle the kick plate pushes th'e'ro'cker arm'to the'right or clockwise, as seen inFi'gure's 7v and 9,until it reaches its Figure?jposition with the associated feed roll down, the stopfinge'rsdown, the jogger out and the. rack at, the top of its stroke ready to rotate the 'fee'droll for a repetition of the feeding operation to; the stops associated with thefeed rollers?! of the press. I

Thus, it is seen that 'I' have illustrated a new and simple mechanical feeder.- attachment for use with a conventional offsettype of printing. press, that is perfectlysynchronized with the .printing cycleaof the press and capable of ensuringa steady feeding of a single sheet of paper to .the press thereby eliminating the cumbersome"hand feed system presently employed in the industry. While I. have herein shown and illustrated two preferred forms in which my invention may appear, it will be readily understood that numerous changes, modifications and substitution of equivalents and materials may bemade without departing from the spiritand scope thereof,.-and, therefore, I .donot wish to'be restricted or otherwise limited to the specific embodiments herein illustrated-exceptas may appear in the following appended claims.

1. In an-automatic feeder mechanism for .feeding paper sheets, arotatable feed roll adapted to present a moving cylindricalrsuriace to the upper surface of saidsheets of paper, astationary retard roll below saidafeed roll adapted to wipe the under surface ofsaidsheets of paperand spaced from said feed rolla' distance sufiicient to allow the passage of a single; sheet of paper-atone time between said two rol1s,-cam meansassociated with .said 'feedroll. for intermittently raisingsaidfeed roll from approximate contact with the surface of said retard roll, linkage means associated with said camming means for. actuation thereof, and

.stop fingers adapted to be raised toan interfering position with the path of movementofsaidsheets of paper across said retard roll for, preventing :s'uch1passagedurihg the period when saidrifeed rollii's withdrawn from approximatefeedingmon- "tactzwithsaid-retardrolli r .2. A feederizmechanism for. aritomaticallyieeding single sheets io'f paper'from a stack zofgpaperzto a destination :requiring intermittent x'but :constant supply,.icomprising :in combination; means for supporting lsaid'sstack of paper. duringihe 2S8- le'ctive: feeding of the singleisheet .Ithereirom; irotative-fe'ed roll means' for intermittently gripping the upper'isurface :of a sheet of-i.paper..for rintertmittent feeding thereof, a stationary retardfro'll disposed below said feed roll adapted to be=se1ectively positioned relative thereto so thata 'single sheet 'of paper will be se'paratedLfrom said-"stack and fed :between saidtwo-rolls durin -said feeding by sai"d feed roll,camming means for periodically moving said feed roll :out of proici-mate feeding' contact withsaid retard roll, means ferperi'o'dically rotating said feed roll when said feed -rell is in proximate relation with said retard roll, stop finger means for periodically stopping the passage of said paper between said -t,WOIO11S;tI1d jogger means-for periodically contacting on side- 0f said stackof paper :to cause proper alignment'thereo'f onsaid supporting means.

3. An-automatic continuous *feeder for-supplying s'inglesheets of paper to adestination requiring repetitive intermittent supply theredfl comprising, a periodically-rotatable"feedroll, a stationary retardroll'staticned beneath said'feedrol-l,

- clutch and pinion means associated'with said feed roll for periodically-rotating said-feed roll, cam means for periodically raising and lowering said feed roll relative to said retard-- roll, said'ieed roll being capable of"rotationwhen in its lowered proximate relation-to said retard roll, a single driving link connected'to-"a 'rotative crank plate, and inter-connecting linkage between said cam meansand'saiddrWing linkjfor actuating said cam; rack'and pinionmeans associated with "said feed 'roll and connected to said driving link for periodically rotating said feed 'roll, and stop *fin- 'gers adapted to be 'rai'sedan'd lowered to holdsaid paper fromsliding b'etweensaid two rolls when said 'feed'roll is in "its raised position and also adapted to allow-said paper to pass between said rolls'whensaid feed roll is in its loweredifeeding 7 position whereby said paper may be "fed to said intermittently demanding destination in responsive sequence therewith.

4. An automatic feeder mechanism adaptedto intermittently supply a press. couple or the .like in response to the intermittent demands thereof, comprising in combination, means 'iorieeding .a single she'etof paper to a suitable stop prepara- 'tory'tofpassagethereof tosaid couple, meansfor aligning said paper in. said "feeding. meanslfor proper and accurate registration with said couple, means "for releasing said feeding means from said sheet aftersaid paper has metsai'd stop, "said paper being entirely 'free. of external restraint exceptjfor aligning contact bysaid aligning means and said stop, whereby said sheet. is accurately aligned for registered gripping thereof ,by -said couple,.and means, for delaying said feedingactua'tion of said feedingmeans until said. couple has received said sheetoipaper and removed it from the 'feeder.

(5. An automatic feeder mechanism :adaptedto intermittently supply a couple associated :with a printing press or the like-demanding anintermittent but repetitive supply of paper sheets, comprising .in combination, rotatable feed rell means -:for periodically feeding paper sheets-to said press, stationary retard roll means disposed below said feed roll means and adjustable in its vertical position relative thereto whereby a passage is disposed between said two rolls adapted to receive but a single sheet of paper at one time for passage between said two rolls, linkage means associated with said feed roll for raising said roll on completion of said feeding operation thereof, said linkage also acting to lower said feed roll into feeding position and approximate contact with said retard roll, and selectively actuated rotative means for periodically rotating said feed roll when it has reached its feeding position in approximate contact with the surface of said re,- tard roll. 7

6. An automatic feeder adapted for feeding sheets of paper to a printing press or the like comprising a cylindrical feed roll rigidly secured to a rotatable horizontal shaft, a sliding cam plate disposed transversely of-said shaft, and at one end thereof, said plate having an inclined camming aperture formed along its length adjacent said shaft end and adapted to receive said shaft end therethrough, and said sliding cam plate adapted to be actuated reciprocally along a horizontal path transversely of the axis of said shaft whereby said shaft will be raised and lowered in response to contact pressure exerted thereon by said camming aperture; a double T- shaped bell crank disposed parallel to and alongside but below said cam plate, adapted to reciprocate along an arcuate path about a horizontally disposed pivotal axis, a rodpivotally connected to an upper extending arm of said bell crank and slidably interconnecting said upper bell crank arm to said cam plate whereby upon rocking actuation of said upper arm toward said sliding cam plate, said plate will be slidingly pushed in one direction and be slidingly pulled in an opposite direction by said rod upon actuation of said upper bell crank arm in an opposite direction thereby causing said shaft to be raised and lowered in response to said sliding actuation of said sliding cam plate.

7. An automatic sheet feeder for selectively supplying sheets of paper to a printing press in response to the repetitive demands thereof, comprising, a crank motion producing connection between said feeder and a rotating shaft of said press, a double bell crank operatively engaging said cranking connection, said double bell crank being characterized by a central projecting stem and upper and lower arms disposed at right angles to said stem; a feed roll disposed centrally of a'horizontally positioned shaft,- a sliding cam plate operatively engaging one end of said latter shaft, said horizontal shaft being rotatably mounted between a pair of parallel spaced bell cranks pivotally tied to the framing of said feeder along coaxial pivot axes, and a lost motion connection between said upper arm of said double bell crank and said sliding cam plate, whereby said cam plate will periodically raise and lower said horizontal shaft and partially rotate said spaced bell cranks aboutsaid coaxial axes in response to rocking actuation of said double bell crank by said crank motion producing connection.

8. An automatic sheet feeder for selectively supplying sheets of paper to a printing press in response to the repetitive demands thereof, comprising a crank motion producing connection between said feeder and a rotatingshaft of said press, a double bell crank operatively engaging said cranking connection, said double bell crank 18 being characterized by a central projecting stem and upper and lower arms disposed at right angles to said stem; a feed roll disposed centrally of said feeder on a horizontally positioned shaft, a sliding cam plate operatively engaging one end of said horizontal shaft, said horizontal shaft being rotatably mounted between a pair of par-. allel spaced bell cranks pivotally tied to the framing of said feeder along coaxial pivot axes; a rack adapted for vertical racking actuation connected to said stem of said double bell crank,'and an override clutch and pinion disposed'in operative engagement between said rack and said horizontal shaft supporting saidfeed roll whereby said shaft may be periodically rotated in one direction only during one stroke of said rack.

9. An automatic sheet feeder for selectively supplying sheets of paper to a printing press in response to the repetitive demands thereof, comprising a crank motion producing connection between said feeder and a rotating shaft of said press, a double bell crank operativelyengaging said cranking connection, said double bell crank being characterized by a central projecting stem and upper and lower arms disposed at right angles to said stem; a feed roll disposed centrally of a horizontally positioned shaft, a sliding cam plate operatively engaging one end of said shaft, said shaft being rotatably mounted between a pair of parallel spaced bell cranks pivotally tied to the framing of said feeder along coaxial pivot axes, a rack adaptedfor vertical racking actuation connected to said stem of said double bell crank, an override clutch and pinion disposed in operative engagement between said rack and said horizontal shaft supporting said feed roll whereby said shaft may be periodically rotated in one direction only during one stroke of said rack, a stationary retard roll disposed below said feed roll, a plurality of stop fingers disposed in adjacent position to said retard roll and supported on a rotative shaft, a torsional spring disposed around said shaft, which supports said stop fingers, for normally urging said stop fingers to a non-interfering position out of the path of travel of said paper sheets between said two rolls; and a latch bar at one end of said stop finger shaft adapted to be rotated contra the torsional resistence of said spring by a cooking bar connected with said upper arm of said double bell crank whereby said stop fingers may be periodically raised to prevent the passage of said paper between said two mentioned rolls.

10. An automatic sheet feeder for selectively supplying sheets of paper to a printing press in response to the repetitive demand thereof, comprising a crank motion producing connection between said feeder and a rotating shaft of said press, a double bell crank operatively engaging said crank connection, saiddouble bell crank being characterized by a central projecting stem and upper and lower arms disposed at right angles to said stem; a feed roll disposed centrally of a horizontally positioned shaft, a sliding cam plate operatively engaging one end of said horizontal shaft, said horizontal shaft being rotatably mounted between a pair of parallel spaced bell cranks pivotally tied to the framing of said feeder along coaxial pivot axes; a rack adapted for ver- 1'9 stroke of said rack, a stationary retard roll disposed below said feed roll, a plurality of stop fin gers disposed in adjacent position to said retard roll and supported on a rotative shaft, 'a torsional spring disposed around said shaft which supports said stop fingers. for normally urging said stop fingers to a non-interfering position out of the path of travel of said paper sheets between said two rolls, a latch bar at one end of said stop finger shaft adapted to be rotated contra the torsional urging of said spring by a cooking bar connected with said upper arm of said double bell crank whereby said stop fingers may be periodically raised to a position wherein said stop fingers interfere with the free passage of said paper sheets between said two rolls; a bell crank disposed below said latch bar, said bell crank having a lower arm fitted with a recessed 'detent at "one end thereof adapted to engage and hold said latch bar in a position whereby said stop fingers are in said raised interfering position; and depending rod means associated with said cocking bar for periodically releasingsaid latch bar from engagement with said detent in response to lateral re cipr'ocal movement of said cocking bar whereby said stop fingers may be lowered by said torsional springt'o said non-interfering position;

ll. In an automatic mechanical feeder for sup plying sheets of paper'to a printing press or the like, the combination comprising a rotatable feed roll; a rotatable transverse shaft for'support'ing said feed; roll, a non-rotatableretard roll juxt'a' posed below said feed roll and adjustable in its horizontal relative position thereto, a pair of bell cranks associated with said shaft for rais ing and. lowering said shaft and attached feed roll through an arcuate path, a cam roller on one of said bell cranks adapted to be engaged by atcam aperture formed in an ar'cuately actuated rocker arm ,eareciprocal kick plate adjacenta'nd parallel to said rocker arm adapted for arcuate pivotallmovement about a shaft common to said kick plate and rockera-rm, and anvil and hammer means disposed between said kick plate and rocker arm for intermittently reciprocating said rocker arm along an arcuate path in response to reciprocating movement of said kick plate.

12;In a feeder apparatus for intermittently supplying sheets of paper to a printing press couple or the like, a horizontally disposed rotat ableshaft, a feed roll positioned intermediate the ends of said shaft, fixedvthereto and adapted to rotate therewith; bell crankmeans associated with said shaft for thesupporting thereof, said shaft being adaptable to be rocked along an arcuate path' by said bell crank means, a rocker arm adapted to reciprocate along an arcuate path, cam meansJ disposed between said bell crank means and said rocker arm for transmitting said rockingmotion of said arm to said bell crank means whereby saidshaft may be actuated along its arcuate *path, kick .plate'means adapted for reciprocating movement about "a pivotal'shaft common with said rocker armga'n anvil "on said rocker-arm, a pair of hammer'memb'ers disposedon'either side of said anvil and rigidly secured to said "kick plate, and selectively operable linkage means adapted to reciprocally oscillate said kick plate about said pivot shaft whereby said hammers will alternately strike opposite faces of said anvil to impart oscillating motion to said rocker arm.

1-3. In a feeder apparatus for intermittently supplying sheets of papertoja printing press c'ouplepr 'theilike, a horizontally Jdisposed retat'able shaft, a feed roll positioned intermediate the ends of said shaft, fixed thereto and adapted to rotate therewith; bell crank means associated with said shaft-for the supporting thereof, said shaft being'adaptable for rocking movement along an arcuate path by said bell crank means, a rocker arm adapted to reciprocate along' an arcuate-path, cam means disposed between said bell crank means and said rocker arm fortrans= mitting said rocking motion of said arm to said bell crank means whereby said shaft may be actuated along its arcuate path, kick plate meansadapted for reciprocating movement about a pivot shaft common with said rocker arm, an anvil on said rocker arm, a pair of hammer members disposed on either side of said anvil and rigidly secured to said kick plate for alternately; striking said anvil in response to arcuate actuation of said kick plate, an intermediate drive lever pivotally connected to said kick plate a clutch engagementlever pivotally mounted adjaoent said intermediate drive lever adapted to reciprocate about a common 'pivotal axis therewith, and a selectively 'engageable clutching means disposed between said two levers for se lectively tying. said levers rig-idly together.

14. In a feederap'paratu's for intermittently supplying sheets of paper to a printing press couple or the like, a; horizontally disposed -ro"-' tatable shaft, a feedfroll positioned intermediate the ends of said shaft, fixed thereto and adapted to rotate therewith; bell crank means associated with said shaft for supporting: said shaft, said shaft being adaptable to be rocked along an arcu ate path by said bell crank means-ya rocker arm adapted to reciprocate along an arcuate path;

cam means disposed between said bell crank means and said rocker arm for transmitting said rocking motion of said-arm to said bell crank intermediate drive lever adapted to reciprocate about a-comm'on pivotal axis therewith, a spool member slidably mounted on'a vertical hinge .pin

for vertical-sliding movement thereon, said spool:

being operatively connected withsaidclutch engagement lever; a feeder drive bell crank pivotally secured to said printing press for rocking driving movement, one -end thereof connected to a crankr-motion' producing source and the other end being connected to saidspool whereby said linkage associatedwith said feed rollmay "be actuated.

1 5. An automatic feeder adapted to feed sheets of paper or the like to a' printing press,- comprise inga' pair of spaced vertically positioned end:

plates,.a feed 'rollmounted to and rotatable with a shaft member disposed between said twoend plates, bell crank means associated with said shaft for raising'and-loweri-ng said feed roll along an arcuate path, reciprocating motion producing linkagemeans mounted-tn oneo'f saidendfplates a'nda's'soei'ated with said-shaft and bell crank means to impart said raising and mweringmeuen to said feed roll; rack nieahs operatively e'n ag iii}; a pinion on said s'liaft forrotatiil'g said -shaft and fees r011, match mea'ns' associated *with ana pinion for periedic-ally stepping iotaafigmcve ment thereof produced by said rack, hinge means interposed between said feeder and said press whereby said feeder may be swung pivotally about saidhinge means, reciprocating drive motion producing means driven by said press and adapted to impart vertical oscillatory sliding movement to a spool member associated with said hinge means, and connective means between said vertically oscillating spool and said linkage means for transmitting said reciprocating drive motion to said feeder.

16. An automatic feeder adapted to feed sheets of paper or the like to a printing press, comprising a pair of spaced vertically positioned end plates, a feed roll mounted to and rotatable with a shaft member disposed between said two end plates, bell crank means associated with said shaft for raising and lowering said feed roll along an arcuate path, reciprocating motion producing linkage means mountedon one of said end plates and associated with said shaft and bell crank means for actuating said bell crank to impart said raising and lowering motion to said feed roll, rack means operativelyengaging a pinionon said shaft for rotating said shaft and feed roll, clutch means associated with said pinion for periodicallystopping rotating movement thereof produced by said rack, hinge means interposed between said feeder and said press whereby said feeder may be swung pivotally about said hinge means, reciprocating drive motion producing means driven by said press and adapted to impart vertical oscillatory sliding movement to a spool member associated with said hinge means, and clutch means associated with said linkage means whereby said reciprocating motion imparted thereto through said oscillating spool may be utilized at will to drive said feeder.

17. An automatic feeder adapted to feed sheets of paper or the like to a printing press, comprising a pair of spaced vertically positioned end plates, a feed roll mounted to and rotatable with a shaft member disposed between said two end plates, a pair of bell cranks associated with said shaft for raising and lowering said feed roll along an arcuate path, reciprocating motion producing linkage means mounted on one of said end plates and associated with said shaft and bell cranks for actuating said bell cranks to impart said raising and lowering motion to said feed roll, rack means operatively engaging a pinion on said shaft for rotating said shaft and feed roll, clutch means associated with said pinion for periodically stopping rotating movement thereof produced by said rack, hinge means interposed between said feeder and said press whereby said feeder may be swung pivotally about said hinge means, reciprocating drive motion producing means driven by said press and adapted to impart vertical oscillatory sliding movement to a spool member associated with said hinge means, and means operable by said linkage means for periodically actuating stop fingers disposed below said feed roll whereby said paper sheets will be prevented from entering the press when said feed roll is in its non-rotating condition.

18. A mechanical sheet feeding device adapted to feed single sheets of paper to a printing press or the like, comprising a pair of vertically disposed parallel spaced end plates rigidly tied to one another, a rotatable feed roll disposed intermediate said end plates on a rotatable shaft, bell crank means pivotally connecting said shaft to said end plates, reciprocating mechanical linkage means disposed on one of said end plates. for intermittently raising and lowering said feed roll, rack meansvertically reciprocated by said linkage means for rotating said feed roll when in its lowered position only, a paper holding tray disposed between said end plates for. supporting paper sheets at an incline thereon, a non-rotatable retard roll juxtaposed below said feed roll and adapted to act as a frictional deterrent to free passage of paper between said two rolls, said rolls always being spaced apart; adjustable means,

associated with said retard roll for varying the spacing between said two rolls, said feed roll being movable along an arcuate path with a constant throw and being adapted. to feed sheets of, paper across said retard roll from said tray to said printing press, the adjusted vertical position'of said retard roll determining the thickness of paper adapted to pass between said two rolls;

and jogger'means disposed on said tray and impulsed by. said reciprocating mechanical linke age for intermittently contacting one lateral edge of said papersheetson said tray to thereby cause proper alignment thereof in said press when said feed roll is raised to its non-rotative, non-feeding position preparatory 'to a couple of said pressreceiving said paper sheets.

19. In an automatic feeder adapted mounted to a printing press or the like for supplying paper sheets to said press in response to the demands thereof, the combination comprising an inclined tray means for supporting said, paper whereby said paper may be gravitationally fed along said tray, feed roll means disposed above said tray at the lower end thereof, means for intermittently raising and lowering said feedroll, means for intermittently rotating said feed roll, rotation occurring when said roll is in its lowered position; jogger means disposed along one side of said'tray for periodically contacting said paper sheets thereon whereby said paper may be properly aligned for feeding contact by said feed roll, said jogger acting in response and in integrated sequence with said raising and lowering of said feed roll; and stop finger means disposed below and on either side of said feed roll adapted to be raised to an interfering position with the path of movement of said paper there,- beneath when said feed roll is raised, said stop fingers also adapted to be lowered to a non-interfering position with said path of movement of saidpaper when said feed roll is lowered, by which arrangement said paper is prevented from passing into said printing press unless fed thereto by saidrfeed roll. a 20. In an automatic feeder for supplying sheets of paper to a couple of a printing press or the like, a feeder supporting frame comprising a pair of spaced parallel vertically disposed end plates, rotatable feed roll means disposed between said end plates, nch-rotatable retard roll means juxtaposed below said feed roll, said two rolls being spaced apart to allow paper sheets to be fed therebetween; a vertical rocker arm pivotally connected to one of said end plates, a kick plate pivotally mounted adjacent and on a common axis with said rocker arm for actuatin said arm with a reciprocating arcuate movement about said pivotal axis, a broken linkage disposed between said kick plate and a driving spool,

mounted for vertical sliding movement on a hinge pin secured to said printing press, pin clutch means associated with said broken linkage for selectively solidifying said linkage to cause driving motion transfer to said rocker arm essence and kick plate therethrough, bellcrank and shaft means associated with saidfeed roll for raisingand lowering thereof in response to movement of a cam surface, formedin "said rocker arm, in a-direction normal to the longitudinal axis of said feed roll shaft; rack meansactuated by saidkick plate for periodically rotating said-reed roll, selectively positioned stop fingers disposed lowered byza suitable stop finger linkage responsive'to :an additional camming surface disposed along the upper edge of said rocker arm, and driving linkmeans connected to said driving spool and responsive to the cyclic operationc'of saidpress 'for imparting reciprocating motion to said rocket and said'cam plate.

'21-; A feeder as set forth in claim 20 wherein said spool is rotatable about said hinge pin to thereby provide imeans whereby said feeder may 'bexswunglaterally' about*said pin without disconnecting said ririving link means from said spool, :andwhereby .said-ieeder may be divorced from its normal position wherein said paper being .fed by said/feed iroll-willjregister with feed rolls of said press; thus providing ready inspectionaccessibility to said various feeder linkages without disturbing the: cyclic operation of said feeder.

22; In an automatic" continuous feeder iorsuppl yingpaper vsheets to the feeding couple of aprinting press or the like, feed roll means for periodically feeding said sheets up againstlstops associated with said-feeding couple of said press, stop finger means associated with said feed roll means for intermittently preventing the passage of said sheets to said stops when said feed roll isnot -feeding, and jogger means associated with said'stop fingersi'oraiigning said sheets for properregistration and reception by saidieed roll; feeding couple and .pre'ss'icomprising aca'm linkage responsive to said periodic actuation of said feed roll and a face plate connected' tosaid camlinkage; said'face plate being adapted-to contacts'aid paperalonglone-edgethereof when said' stop fingers are placed in- :an interfering position re1ative to said vpaper sheets, to'remain in" aligning contact therewith --during saidieeding by said feeding couple and iuntil another of said sheets is brought into feeding- "engagement with said feedroll-and to be disengaged from-- said paper sheets ratus for supplying sheets of paper to a feeding couple of a printin'g' press -or tli'e like; 'feedroll below said wfeed roll adapted to be" raised and means adapted to" periodically feed paper sheets to stopsassociated' with said press-feedingcouple;- stop' finger means adapted tobe raised andlow=' ered' in sequential relation to saidperiodic feed ingoperation of said feed rolL-saidfingers bei'n-g raised-to prevent the passage of additional-sheets to: said feeding by: said feed roll; and jog-germeansuadapted-to periodically engageone' lateral edge of: a sheet of said paper upon raising of said fingersto thereby cause proper registering align ment and gripping of said sheet prior to engagementthereof by said feed roll-and additionally adapted to remain in contact therewith during said feeding to said-press by said feeding couple:-

' disengagement of said jogger from said sheet occurring upon the lowering of said stcp'fin'ger means;

.24. In .a sheet feeder for'supplying sheets of paper or the like to the feeding couple 01 a printing press or the like, aninclined tray'posi-' tionedopposite said feeding couple exteriorly of said press, a feed rollrotatablymounted above the inner end of said tray, a stationary retard rollmounte'cl belowsaid feed roll, said feed roll being adapted to be l'oweredtowardsaid retard roll=anidirotatedin this position to' feed shee'ts from a stackof paper supported on said tray, stop fingers-adapted to be raised to prevent saidsta'ck from sliding into said feedin'gcoupl'e' when said'feed' roll is raised, the sheetprevionsly fed to said couple lying over said fingers prior'to removalthereof by said couple; and jogger means along one side of said tray for contacting the adjacent edgeof said aper stack when said fingers and-feed roll are'rais'ed to therebymamtain said stack in its proper feeding condition,

FRANK J1 BREMAN;

REFERENCES CITED 7 i The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS" Number Name Date 808,018 Cross Dec; 19', 19015 1 ,4 43;430 Olgay' Jan. 30., 1923 2,108,809 Davidson Feb; 22-; 1933 2,115,167 Davidson oct'. 10 1939' 2,224,137 remen er a1. Dec. 10, 1940' 2,246,508 Davidson June 524, 1941 2,374,668

Davidson May 1; I945 

